Wesley Corpus

‘The first step is to turn wholly from yourself and to give up yourself wholly unto God’ (Part II. p. 22). If it be, no flesh living shall be saved. How grievously do we stumble at the threshold! Do you seriously call this ‘the first step’ -- to turn wholly from myself and give up myself wholly unto God Am I, then, to step first on the highest round of the ladder Not unless you turn it upside down. The way to heaven would be short indeed if the first and the last step were all one, if we were to step as far the moment we set out as we can do till we enter into glory. But what do you mean by giving up myself to God You answer: ‘Every sincere wish and desire after Christian virtues is giving up yourself to Him and the very perfection of faith’ (Spirit of Love, Part II. p. 217). Far, very far from it: I know from the experience of a thousand persons, as well as from Scripture and the very reason of the thing, that a man may have sincere desires after all these long before he attains them. He may sincerely wish to give himself up to God long before he is able so to do. He may desire this, not only before he has the perfection, but before he has any degree of saving faith. More marvelous still is that which follows: ‘You may easily and immediately, by the mere turning of your mind, have all these virtues -- patience, meekness, humility, and resignation to God’ (page 212). Who may Not I; not you; not any that is born of a woman: as is proved by the daily experience of all that know what patience, meekness, or resignation means. But how shall I know whether I have faith or not ' I will give you an infallible touchstone. Retire from all conversation only for a month. Neither write, nor read, nor debate anything with yourself. Stop all the former workings of your heart and mind, and stand all this month in prayer to God. If your heart cannot give itself up in this manner to prayer, be fully assured you are an infidel.' (Spirit of Prayer, Part II. p. 163.)